Free When Love Breaks by Kate Squires Page B

Whatever.” I try to wave the subject off, but he brings it right back around.
    “No, really. You’ve been unusually chipper for a while now. And, you haven’t sent her running from the house screaming.” He rubs his chin in an exaggerated manner. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you like this girl.”
    My eyes fly to him instantly. Can he see through me? Does he know? I watch his expression go from joking to realization, and I begin to sweat.
    “What?” I snap, attempting to dodge the question.
    “You do like her. I can see it in your eyes.” He’s pointing at me, taunting me, and it’s pissing me off.
    “Michael, knock it off.” I swivel my chair away from him and start down the hall to my room. He steps into my path before I’m out of the kitchen.
    “Oh, no you don’t. You’re going to tell me what’s going on, and I’m not moving until you do.”
    “Seriously? There’s nothing to tell. She works for me, that makes me her boss, in a way, so even if I thought there was a possibility, it would be unethical for her…and me. Just shut up about it.” I try to ram through him, but he stops me with his hands.
    “Dude, I don’t know what this chic looks like, or what she’s like, but you’ve definitely got it bad for her. Why don’t you talk to her, feel her out? Maybe, she has feelings for you too.”
    I roll my eyes and scoff at him.
    “The very idea is ridiculous.”
    “Why is it ridiculous? You’re a good guy…most of the time, and she’d be lucky to have you.”
    I scoff again.
    “Right. Yeah, any woman would be lucky to have someone who will never be able to stand up next to her, or open a simple door for her, because this damned chair is always in the way. I have to look up to every person I meet, Michael. Do you know how inferior that makes a person feel? To know that I’ll never be equal to anyone ever again because I’m half a man? What the hell do I have to offer her? Huh? What? A life of free wheelchair rides and all the burdens she could ever ask for? Get real. I know what she needs, and it’s not an invalid.”
    I’m pissed, and all I want is to get to my room, but he’s standing, stock still, in front of me.
    “Are you done?” I grit my teeth and exhale sharply, but say nothing. “First of all, you’re not half a man , you’re three quarters of one. Those doctors took part of your legs, but now I’m beginning to think they took your brain too.” My eyes dart back to him. “Got your attention now, do I?” I look back away from him. “This self-pity thing you’ve got going on is getting really old. Just because your legs are shorter than the average person does not make you less of one. You’re still my brother, and you’re still stupid no matter what your height is at the moment. You want to be whole again? Then fucking go to therapy. Go get some new legs, and show this girl how much you care about her. Because I’ve never seen you fight against something so hard in my life. And, that’s how I know you’re in love with her.”
    We both remain still, panting from the words we exchanged. I’m pissed, and all I want to do is get out of here. Now, of all times, I wish I had legs to run far away, but all I can do is roll to my room. A minute passes, maybe two, and Michael finally lets go of my chair. I immediately push myself down the hall to my room, slamming the door behind me.
    A book I’d been reading, that lay on my desk, suddenly flies from my hand and hits the wall, as my anger and frustration comes out. I’m so pissed right now. I’m pissed at my situation, I’m pissed at my brother’s goading but most of all, I’m pissed that he might be right. Am I in love with her? Does she have feelings for me? What if I pursue this, and I’ve read her wrong? I’ll be mortified, and our relationship, whatever that is, will be changed forever. On the other hand, what if it does work out? What if she’s waiting on me to make a move? I scoff and immediately